Move over Dolly,
as CopyCat takes center stage in the cloning controversy. The kitten
is the first successful clone of a domestic animal. Cloned from
a cat named Rainbow, CopyCat is the result of research by the "Missyplicity"
project. The Missyplicity research team at Texas A&M University
is funded by a Texas millionaire who wants to clone his beloved
pet dog, Missy. So why is CopyCat a cat and not a dog? Researchers
simply had more success with cloned cat eggs than with cloned dog
even more ethical questions than Dolly did back in 1997. Critics
of cloning question the validity of cloning cats when there's such
an overabundance of the species. Critics also believe that this
new step into domestic cloning is for purely commercial reasons,
creating a giant market for cloned pets. Researchers counter that
argument pointing to the invaluable information gained from the
procedures that resulted in CopyCat. Researchers say that information
may eventually help clone endangered wild cats.
Monica Post's views on cloning endangered animals in the Viewpoints
Rick. Washington Post. "CopyCat is First Cloned Pet."
Friday, February 15, 2002. www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12634-2002Feb14.html February 19, 2002.